Method and device for controlling a vehicle's navigation system upon detection of driver fatigue

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a vehicle navigation system comprising a touchscreen (12). For this purpose, data representing driver fatigue detection is received. A navigation system control button is displayed on the touchscreen (12) according to a first graphic representation (320). A command to follow a navigation route is transmitted to the navigation system following a touch press on the control button. Figure 3 (for the abstract)

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling a vehicle's navigation system upon detection of driver fatigue technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a vehicle navigation system, particularly, but not exclusively, a motor vehicle. The invention specifically relates to a method and device for controlling the display of a trigger button for a vehicle navigation system when driver fatigue is detected. Technological background

[0002] Road safety is one of the important issues in the context of vehicle development. Some contemporary vehicles are equipped with a safety system designed to monitor driver attention and fatigue.

[0003] Such a system is known as DAA (Driver Attention Alert) or DMS (Driver Monitoring System), and it monitors the driver's attention and fatigue, alerting them when drowsiness or a decrease in attention is detected. The DAA system includes one or more cameras that detect the driver's head and / or gaze orientation to determine whether the driver is attentive, i.e., whether they are looking in the direction of the road, and / or whether the driver is falling asleep by detecting eye closures or blinks.

[0004] When detecting driver fatigue, the DAA system alerts the driver to the need to take a break, for example by displaying an alert message on a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) of a touch screen in the vehicle, by interacting with the vehicle's infotainment system, also called the IVI system (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement étoilé").

[0005] In the most modern systems, the DAA system interacts directly with the vehicle's navigation system, to automatically present navigation tracking to the nearest rest area or hotel.

[0006] This automatic modification of the route followed has certain limitations. For example, the next rest area may not meet the driver's needs: it might not have a gas station or hotel, or it might be perceived as unsafe. Furthermore, a sensor error is possible. causes an unjustified alert about the driver's fatigue status; in this case, the route change must be readjusted manually by the driver on the touchscreen HMI, leading to distraction and loss of attention.

[0007] The DAA system may also not automatically modify the route but simply suggest a change. This operation requires the driver to interact with the touchscreen HMI to accept or reject the suggestion. This interaction, which requires several clicks and visual attention, can also be a source of distraction. Furthermore, if the driver is already tired, manipulating controls on the screen further increases the risk of inattention, which is strongly discouraged.

[0008] Furthermore, the DAA system does not always allow for a quick and intuitive selection of rest areas suited to the driver's needs, nor does it always provide an accurate estimate of the time remaining before reaching these options. The inability to make a quick selection without taking one's eyes off the road can distract the driver, which can be dangerous for the vehicle and its passengers, especially in situations where fatigue is already present. Summary of the present invention

[0009] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0010] An object of the present invention is, for example, to facilitate the control or command of a vehicle's navigation system.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to minimize the time lost by the driver in selecting a route to a rest point when his fatigue is detected.

[0012] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle navigation system, the vehicle having a display system comprising a touch screen, the method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - receipt of initial data indicating driver fatigue, - display control of a navigation system control button on a main display area of ​​the touchscreen according to an initial graphical representation based on initial data, the size of the control button according to the initial graphical representation being greater than a first determined threshold, - reception of second data points representing a touch press on said control button, - transmission of third data representing a command to follow a navigation route to the navigation system, the transmission being triggered by the reception of the second data.

[0013] Detecting driver fatigue allows for a rapid response, alerting the driver to the need for a break and thus increasing the safety of the vehicle and its passengers. Displaying a navigation system control button on the touchscreen with a large size—that is, larger than a predetermined threshold—allows for quick and intuitive access compared to a smaller physical or touch button. This eliminates the need for the driver to take their eyes off the road to search for the button, thereby improving driver focus and, consequently, the safety of the vehicle and other road users. The navigation route tracking feature presents the driver with a route to a suitable rest stop, tailored to their specific needs.

[0014] According to one variant, the first threshold represents a ratio between the size of the control button and a total size of a main display area of ​​the touch screen.

[0015] According to one variant, the first threshold is equal to 90%.

[0016] According to another variant, the first threshold is configurable via an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) Man-Machine) of the vehicle.

[0017] According to yet another variant, the second data contains information representing a number of fingers simultaneously in contact with a touch interface of the touch screen, the navigation route tracking command being a function of the information.

[0018] According to a further variant, the navigation route of the navigation route tracking command is: - a navigation route to the nearest hotel when the information represents a one-finger touch on the touchscreen interface, - a navigation route to the nearest petrol station when the information represents a two-finger touch on the touchscreen interface, - a navigation route to the nearest rest area when the information represents a three-finger touch on the touchscreen interface. - a navigation route to the nearest restaurant when the information is representative of a four-finger touch on the touch interface, - a navigation route to a rest area located at a specified travel time when the information is representative of a five-finger contact with the touch interface.

[0019] According to yet another variant, the process includes a step of rendering an audio content confirming the reception of the second data.

[0020] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle navigation system, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0021] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0023] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or an intermediate form between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0024] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0025] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit-type ROM, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk drive.

[0026] On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or radio frequency, by self-directing laser beam, or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can, in particular, be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0027] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question. Brief description of the figures

[0028] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 7, in which:

[0029] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates part of a vehicle's passenger compartment, according to a example of a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a screen of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a first a particular and non-limiting example of a realization of the present invention;

[0031] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the vehicle screen of [Fig.1], according to a second a particular and non-limiting example of a realization of the present invention;

[0032] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the vehicle screen of [Fig.1], according to a third a particular and non-limiting example of a realization of the present invention;

[0033] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the vehicle screen of [Fig.1], according to a fourth a particular and non-limiting example of a realization of the present invention;

[0034] [Fig.6] illustrates a device configured to control a navigation system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] [Fig.7] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of a vehicle navigation system of the [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[0036] A method and a control device for a vehicle navigation system will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 7. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the following description.

[0037] The terms "first," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to allow for the identification and distinction of different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0038] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the control of a navigation system is implemented by one or more vehicle computers, in particular by one or more processors of this or these computers. The vehicle also includes a display system comprising a touchscreen interface, referred to as a touchscreen, controlled by a computer, for example the computer of the vehicle's infotainment system, referred to as the IVI computer (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement étoilé").

[0039] Initial data representative of the detection of driver fatigue are received. This initial data corresponds, for example, The system uses data identifying driver drowsiness, derived from data from one or more cameras of a driver attention alert system. Upon receiving this initial data, the control unit adjusts the display of the navigation system's control button according to a first graphic representation. The size of the control button in this initial graphic representation is greater than a predetermined threshold to ensure it is more easily visible and accessible to vehicle users. A second set of data, representing a touch input on the control button, is received from the touchscreen interface, for example, when a user touches the screen where the control button is displayed.In response to this second data, third data representing a navigation route-following command is transmitted to a navigation system controller, for example to present a new navigation route to the nearest rest area.

[0040] A driver attention alert system for a vehicle is a system configured to detect a driver state that is considered dangerous for driving the vehicle. A dangerous state corresponds, for example, to a state in which the driver's level of attention is insufficient (for example, below a certain threshold), or to a state of fatigue, drowsiness, or sleeplessness, or a distracted state, for example, when the driver is not looking at the road, which is not adequate for ensuring safe driving.When the system detects a driver condition that is not in accordance with a condition required to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle, the system is configured to generate an alert, or even control one or more vehicle safety or assistance systems (for example, to activate the braking system, to take control of the vehicle's steering) when a dangerous condition is detected and the driver does not respond to the given alert, or even automatically generate and present a navigation route to a rest area, or any other establishment allowing the driver to take a break.

[0041] The driver attention alert system uses data received from one or more cameras mounted in the vehicle, for example, one or more cameras configured to acquire data representative of the driver's face, for example, images of the face, data relating to certain points on the face, data relating to certain parts of the face (for example, the eyes, eyelids). Such a system implements, for example, a set of primary functions ensuring, for example, the driver's gaze tracking, the determination or tracking of the driver's head pose or head gaze, and / or face tracking to determine the driver's current state, for example, their level of drowsiness and their level of attention to their surroundings.

[0042] Such a system is known by various names such as DMS system and DAA system for example, the name DAA system being used in the present description and encompassing all systems configured to monitor driver attention and generate an alert for the driver and / or any occupant of the vehicle.

[0043] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, with electric motor(s), or even a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. Vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a bus.

[0045] The vehicle 10 includes a display system comprising a touch screen 12 and a computer configured to control the display of content(s) of a graphical human-machine interface, known as an HMI, on the touch screen 12. The computer corresponds, for example, to the computer of the infotainment system, known as the IVI computer (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement étoilé") of the vehicle 10.

[0046] The touch screen 12 corresponds for example to an LCD type screen (from the English "Liquid Crystal Display" or in French "Affichage à cristals liquide"), for example of type TFT (from the English "Thin-Film Transistor" or in French "Transistor en film mince"), or OLED (from the English "Organic Light-Emitting Diode" or in French "Diode électroluminescente organique").

[0047] The vehicle 10 includes a navigation system configured to calculate a road route from the vehicle 10 to a destination, and to display the route to follow on the HMI of the touch screen 12.

[0048] According to a particular embodiment, the vehicle 10 carries one or more embedded systems, each controlled by one or more computers. These computers, together with the IVI computer, form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for providing various services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle in controlling the vehicle 10 via the control of the embedded system(s) in the vehicle 10.Computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), or Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3) type communication bus.

[0049] An embedded system in the vehicle 10 corresponds to a driver attention alert system for the vehicle 10, also called a DAA system.

[0050] The vehicle 10 carries one or more cameras 11 located at the level of the dashboard of the vehicle 10, facing the face of the driver of the vehicle 10. The camera(s) 11 allow to capture images or videos of the face of the driver of the vehicle 10, this data being transmitted to the DAA system.

[0051] Figure [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates the touch screen 12, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the touchscreen 12 consists of a main display area 21 and a secondary display area 22. For example, the main display area 21 is used to display a set of information for the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle 10, for example navigation information, or information relating to the operating status of the vehicle 10. According to an embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the secondary display area 22 is used to display various touch buttons for controlling systems of the vehicle 10, for example a navigation system control button shown according to a second graphic representation 220.

[0053] According to another embodiment, the touch screen 12 consists of a single main display area 21, occupying the entire available display area of ​​the touch screen 12, for example in the case where the vehicle 10 has a center console including physical buttons, not requiring the display of such buttons on the touch screen 12.

[0054] The touchscreen 12 is configured to display content for the driver and passengers of the vehicle 10. The touchscreen 12 is also configured to allow the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle 10 to interact with one or more systems embedded in the vehicle 10 via a human-machine interface (HMI) displayed on the touchscreen 12. For example, the touchscreen 12 is configured to interact with the IVI system and / or the navigation system of the vehicle 10.

[0055] The vehicle display system 10 is connected in communication with the vehicle navigation system 10, for example the computer in charge of the display system (for example the IVI computer) is connected in communication to the computer (also called controller) in charge of the navigation system via one or more data buses of the vehicle 10's on-board network.

[0056] A problem that then arises concerns the route calculated by the navigation system following the receipt of an alert from the DAA system, when driver fatigue is detected in vehicle 10. The destination of the route, for example a rest area, may not correspond to the driver's needs, or the Driver fatigue detection may be inaccurate, and the driver does not want their route changed unexpectedly.

[0057] The driver of vehicle 10, wishing to modify his navigation route to find an alternative to the selected Rest area, or to reactivate the navigation route prior to the detection of fatigue, must manipulate the touch screen 12 to interact with the navigation system, causing distraction and loss of attention to the driver of vehicle 10.

[0058] A control process for the vehicle navigation system 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more processors, for example one or more processors of the IVI computer and / or one or more processors of the computer or controller in charge of the navigation system.

[0059] In a first operation of the process, at least one processor of the vehicle 10, for example the IVI computer or a set of computers, receives initial data representative of a detection of a state of fatigue of the driver of the vehicle 10.

[0060] According to one embodiment, this initial data is, for example, received from one or more cameras 11 of the vehicle's DAA system 10. The camera(s) 11 acquire data representative of the driver's face, for example, images of the face, data relating to certain points on the face, data relating to certain parts of the face (for example, the eyes, eyelids). For example, the initial data corresponds to a frequency of eyelid closure exceeding a threshold, indicating that the driver of the vehicle 10 has fallen asleep.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the initial data is received from vehicle behavior detection sensors 10, for example, brake sensors or lateral acceleration sensors. For example, the initial data corresponds to an oscillation of the vehicle 10's trajectory relative to the road axis, or a number of sudden braking events detected exceeding a threshold.

[0062] In a second operation of the process, illustrated in [Fig.3], the display of a navigation system control button is controlled in such a way that the button is displayed on the main display area 21 of the touch screen 12 according to a first graphic representation 320, the size of the control button according to the first graphic representation 320 being greater than a first determined threshold.

[0063] The control button is displayed in a determined content of a human-machine interface, called HMI, which content is displayed on the touch screen 12.

[0064] The first graphic representation 320 represents, for example, an image representing an eye and an arc of a circle above the eye, accompanied by a danger warning pictogram.

[0065] According to another example, the first graphic representation 320 corresponds to a text area displaying a warning message indicating that a driver break is necessary.

[0066] The fact that the size of the control button according to the first graphic representation 320 is greater than a first determined threshold, allows a display easily visible to the driver on the touch screen 12, to quickly trigger the command of the navigation system.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the first threshold represents a ratio between the size of the control button according to the first graphic representation 320 and the total size of the main display area 21 of the touch screen 12. This ratio is expressed as a percentage of the total size of the main display area 21 occupied by the control button according to the first graphic representation 320.

[0068] A display control of graphic content or any graphic object (text, pictogram, icon, control button, indicator, etc.) includes a rendering of the graphic content or graphic object, such rendering corresponding to a set of operations performed by one or more processors on the pixels of one or more images of the graphic content to be displayed on the touch screen 12. For example, the rendering consists of associating to a set of pixels of an image pixel data (for example color data expressed in an RGB (Red, Green, Blue) type space) associated with each graphic object.

[0069] The display control of the control button according to the first graphical representation thus includes the transmission of control signals to the touch screen 12 to modify the values ​​associated with the pixels of the touch screen 12 at the location intended to display the control button according to the first graphical representation 320 (or any graphical object).

[0070] According to one particular embodiment, the first threshold is equal to 90%. Thus, the control button will be displayed with a size greater than 90% of the size of the main display area 21, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. A first threshold of 90% allows the driver to press the control button without looking at the touchscreen 12, while keeping their eyes fixed on the road.

[0071] According to another particular embodiment, the first threshold is equal to 50%. Thus, the control button will be displayed with a size greater than 50% of the size of the main display area 21, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. For example, a first threshold of 50% makes it easier for the driver to touch the control button, while keeping a display area available on the main display area to show other information useful to the driver for ensuring control and supervision of the vehicle 10, for example, navigation information.

[0072] According to an embodiment illustrated by [Fig.4], the first graphic representation 420 occupies the left part of the main display area of ​​the touch screen 12, and the right part of the main display area of ​​the touch screen 12 is available to display other information.

[0073] According to an embodiment illustrated by [Fig.5], the first graphic representation 520 occupies the upper part of the main display area of ​​the touch screen 12, and the lower part of the main display area of ​​the touch screen 12 is available to display other information.

[0074] According to another embodiment, the first threshold represents dimensions in pixels of a height and a width of a minimum rectangular area on which to display the control button.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the first threshold is configurable via a vehicle HMI (Human-Machine Interface) 10. For example, the first threshold is configurable by selecting its value from a menu or page of the HMI. The driver selects a threshold according to their preferences, for example, a high threshold if the driver wants to make pressing the control button easier, as shown in the first graphic representation 320, 420, or 520.

[0076] In a third operation of the process, second data representing a touch press on the control button displayed according to the first graphic representation 320, 420 or 520 are received, following a touch press by a user (for example the driver of the vehicle 10) on the control button displayed on the touch screen 12.

[0077] A touch press on the control button displayed according to the first graphic representation 320, 420 or 520 sends information to the IVI computer so that the latter implements one or more functions associated with the command corresponding to the touch press.

[0078] The second data representing a touch press are for example received via one or more data buses linking the touch interface of the screen (or a computer controlling such a touch interface where applicable) and the IVI computer.

[0079] A touch press corresponds to a short or brief touch press in which the duration of the press on the control button is less than a threshold duration (for example, equal to 500 or 1000 ms). According to one embodiment, a touch press corresponds to a long touch press in which the duration of the press on the control button is greater than the threshold duration (for example, equal to 500 or 1000 ms).

[0080] According to one embodiment, the second data contains information representing the number of fingers simultaneously in contact with a touch interface of the touchscreen 12, when the control button is pressed according to the first graphical representation 320, 420 or 520. The follow-up command of The navigation route depends on the information corresponding to the number of fingers simultaneously in contact with the touchscreen interface when a touch is pressed. This allows the driver to select the desired route with a quick and intuitive gesture, without taking their eyes off the road.

[0081] The simultaneous touch of one or more fingers corresponds to the detection of one or more touch presses within a short time interval (for example, equal to 100 or 200 ms), after the first detection of a touch press on the control button according to the first graphic representation 320, 420, 520. In other words, any touch press detected on the touch interface of the touch screen 12 within this time interval will be associated with the first touch press, the total number of touch presses corresponding to the number of fingers simultaneously in contact with the touch interface of the touch screen 12.

[0082] According to a further embodiment, the navigation route of the navigation route tracking command differs depending on the number of fingers simultaneously in contact with the touchscreen interface of the touchscreen 12. For example, the navigation route corresponds to: - a navigation route to the nearest hotel from the vehicle's current position 10 when the information is representative of a finger contact with the touch interface, - a navigation route to the nearest service station to the vehicle's current position when the information is representative of simultaneous contact of two fingers with the touch interface, - a navigation route to the nearest rest area to the vehicle's current position when the information is representative of simultaneous contact of three fingers with the touch interface, - a navigation route to the nearest restaurant to the vehicle's current position when the information is representative of simultaneous contact of four fingers with the touch interface, - a navigation route to a rest area located a specified travel time from the vehicle's current position when the information is representative of a simultaneous contact of five fingers with the touch interface.

[0083] The current position of the vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to the position of the vehicle determined by the navigation system at the moment of receiving the first data representative of the detection of a state of fatigue of the driver of the vehicle 10.

[0084] Thus, the driver can select a place to take a break, adapted to his need at the moment, intuitively and without taking his eyes off the road.

[0085] According to a further embodiment, when the information represents simultaneous contact of five fingers with the touch interface, the determined travel time corresponds to a travel time previously entered by the driver in the HMI of the touchscreen 12, for example in a DAA system settings submenu. For example, the driver of vehicle 10 can enter in the settings submenu a journey time in minutes corresponding to the desired journey time when the navigation system calculates the navigation route.

[0086] According to another embodiment of the present invention, when the second data represents a simultaneous contact of five fingers with the touch interface, the process includes an additional operation of displaying graphic content for selecting the travel time determined to a rest area from among several proposals of travel time determined, then an operation of receiving data representing a simultaneous touch of one or more fingers on the graphic content, the travel time determined to a rest area being a function of the number of fingers simultaneously in contact with the touch interface.

[0087] For example, the graphic content displays a selection from travel times of 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, and 50 minutes. In this example, the determined travel time is: - 10 minutes when the information is representative of a finger contact with the touch interface. - 20 minutes when the information is representative of a simultaneous contact of two fingers with the touch interface. - 30 minutes when the information is representative of a simultaneous contact of three fingers with the touch interface. - 40 minutes when the information is representative of a simultaneous contact of four fingers with the touch interface. - 50 minutes when the information is representative of a simultaneous contact of five fingers with the touch interface.

[0088] This configurable predetermined travel time allows for greater flexibility for the driver of vehicle 10, who is not forced to select the next rest area without knowing the travel time required to reach it. The detection of simultaneous contact of one or more fingers on the touchscreen interface allows for intuitive and rapid selection of the predetermined travel time.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the process further includes a step of rendering confirmation audio content upon receipt of the second data. For example, the rendering of the confirmation audio content is carried out via one or more speakers of the vehicle 10. In a first example, the audio content corresponds, for example, to an audible "beep" alert following the touch press of the control button on the touchscreen 12. In another example, the audio content corresponds to the reading, via a speech synthesis technique of the IVI system, of a text confirming the receipt of the second data.

[0090] In a fourth operation of the process, the IVI computer transmits third data representing a command to follow a navigation route to the navigation system, for example to the navigation system controller, the transmission of the third data being triggered by the reception of the second data by the IVI computer.

[0091] These third data are for example transmitted via one or more data buses linking the IVI computer and a navigation system control computer.

[0092] The navigation route tracking command or request allows the activation of route tracking by the navigation system, for example to present the vehicle driver with route tracking to the location allowing the vehicle driver 10 to take a break.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the display time of the control button according to the first graphic representation 320, 420, or 520 on the main display area of ​​the touchscreen 12 is a fixed duration. For example, the display time of the control button according to the first graphic representation 320, 420, or 520 on the main display area of ​​the touchscreen 12 is 10, 15, or 20 seconds. The driver thus has a period of time to decide whether to press the control button, for example, if the vehicle 10 is currently in a turn requiring the driver to control the steering wheel with both hands, and therefore a delay between the appearance of the control button according to the first graphic representation 320, 420, or 520 and the driver's opportunity to press it.

[0094] According to another example, the display time of the control button according to the first graphic representation 320, 420, or 520 on the main display area 21 of the touchscreen 12 depends on the initial data. For example, the display time is longer if the initial data indicates significant fatigue (e.g., a number of blinks exceeding a threshold) in the driver of the vehicle 10.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the process further includes a display control operation for the navigation system control button on the touchscreen 12 according to a second graphical representation 220, the size of the control button according to the second graphical representation 220 being less than a second threshold, the second threshold being less than the first threshold. This embodiment makes it possible to maintain a reduced-size control button available on the touchscreen 12, for example, when the control button according to the first graphical representation 320, 420, or 520 disappears from the touchscreen 12.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the display of the control button according to the second graphic representation 220 is carried out on a secondary display area 22 of the touch screen 12.

[0097] The secondary display area 22 corresponds for example to a lower band of the touch screen 12, representing one or more control buttons commanding the activation of one or more systems of the vehicle 10, one of these control buttons being the control button of the vehicle navigation system 10 according to the second graphic representation 220.

[0098] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a device 6 configured for controlling a vehicle display system and / or for controlling a vehicle navigation system, for example, vehicle 10, according to specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. The device 6 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the vehicle 10, such as a computer.

[0099] Device 6 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite Figures 1 to 5 and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 7]. Examples of such a device 6 include, but are not limited to, embedded electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop computer. The elements of device 6, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 6 can be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules, or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0100] The device 6 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 60 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 6. The processor 60 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 6 further comprises at least one memory 61, for example, volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and / or includes a memory storage device that may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0101] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on memory 61.

[0102] According to various specific and non-limiting embodiments, the device 6 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English " Telematic Control Unit (or in French "Unité de Contrôle Télématique"), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0103] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 6 includes a block 62 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 62 include one or more of the following interfaces: - radio frequency RF interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or of the Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced; - USB interface (from the English "Universal Serial Bus" or "Universal Serial Bus" in French); - HDMI interface (from the English "High Definition Multimedia Interface", or "High Definition Multimedia Interface" in French); - LIN interface (from the English "Local Interconnect Network", or in French "Réseau interconnecté local").

[0104] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 6 includes a communication interface 63 which enables communication with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded system) via a communication channel 630. The communication interface 63 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 630. The communication interface 63 corresponds, for example, to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3) type.

[0105] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 6 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 640, touch or not, one or more speakers 650 and / or other peripherals 660 (projection system) via output interfaces 64, 65 and 66 respectively. According to a variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 6.

[0106] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a method for controlling a vehicle navigation system, for example vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by a device embedded in vehicle 10 or by device 6 in Figure 6.

[0107] In a first step 71, initial data representative of the detection of a state of fatigue of the driver of vehicle 10 are received.

[0108] In a second step 72, the display of a navigation system control button is controlled to display this button on a main display area of ​​the touch screen according to a first graphical representation based on the first data, a size of the button according to the first graphical representation being greater than a first determined threshold.

[0109] In a third step 73, second data representing a touch press on the control button are received.

[0110] In a fourth step 74, third data representing a command to follow a navigation route are transmitted to a controller of the navigation system, the transmission of the third data being triggered by the reception of the second data.

[0111] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 5 apply to the steps of the process in [Fig.7].

[0112] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method of displaying a button representing a vehicle's navigation system in various graphic representations, which would include secondary steps without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0113] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally a land motor vehicle, comprising the device 6 of [Fig.6] or a display system comprising the device 6 of [Fig.6] connected in communication to a touch screen 12.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling a vehicle navigation system of a vehicle (10), said vehicle (10) having a display system comprising a touchscreen (12), said method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving (71) first data representing the detection of a state of fatigue of the driver of said vehicle (10), - display control (72) of a control button of said navigation system on a main display area (21) of said touchscreen (12) according to a first graphical representation (320) as a function of said first data, a size of said control button according to said first graphical representation (320) being greater than a first determined threshold, - receiving (73) second data representing a touch press on said control button,- transmission (74) of third data representing a command to follow a navigation route to the navigation system, said transmission being triggered by the reception of said second data.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said first threshold represents a ratio between said size of said control button and a total size of said main display area of ​​said touch screen (12).

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein said first threshold is equal to 90%.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first threshold is configurable via a human-machine interface of said vehicle (10).

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second data contains information representative of a number of fingers simultaneously in contact with a touch interface of said touch screen (12), said third data being a function of said information.

6. Method according to claim 5, said navigation route of said tracking command of said navigation route corresponding to: - a navigation route to the nearest hotel to the current position of said vehicle (10) when said information is representative of a one-finger touch of said touch interface, - a navigation route to the nearest petrol station to the current position of said vehicle (10) when said information is representative of a simultaneous two-finger touch of said touch interface, - a navigation route to the nearest rest area to the current position of said vehicle (10) when said information is representative of a simultaneous three-finger touch of said touch interface, - a navigation route to the nearest restaurant to the current position of said vehicle (10) when said information is representative of a simultaneous four-finger touch of said touch interface,- a navigation route to a rest area located a specified travel time from the current position of said vehicle (10) where said information is representative of simultaneous contact of five fingers with said touch interface.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a step of rendering an audio content confirming said reception of said second data.

8. Computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when said program is executed by a processor.

9. Control device for a vehicle navigation system (10), said control device comprising a memory associated with at least one processor configured for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising a device according to claim 9.

Images